My Genealogy Hound

Kelly De Fur, clerk of the circuit court of Posey county, was born on his father’s farm near Wadesville, Center township, on May 5, 1875, the son of Theophilus and Eliza (Wade) De Fur. He is of French ancestry on the paternal side, the De Fur family having been founded in America during the Colonial period, when his ancestors came from France to the Carolina colony. The family dates its founding in Posey county from the settlement in Robb township of _____ De Fur, the great-grandfather of our subject. Thomas De Fur, his son, became a man of influence in his township, was a farmer, a lifelong Democrat, and supported the Christian church. Theophilus, the son of Thomas and father of our subject, was born in Robb township. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker. He sold furniture, made coffins, and acted as the undertaker of that district. He married Eliza Wade, the daughter of Thomas Wade, a native of South Carolina, and a pioneer resident of Center township. He was a successful farmer, influential, and founder of the town of Wadesville. Theophilus De Fur and wife were the parents of four children, three of whom survive his death, which occurred on January 24, 1886. They are: William E. De Fur, a machinist of Ashton, Ill.; Kelly, the subject of this sketch, and Omar, born May 18, 1885, of Wadesville, with whom the mother resides. A son, Thomas, died an infant. Kelly De Fur received his education in the schools of Center township, working during his boyhood years as a farm hand. In 1893, he entered the employ of Thomas D. Shelton, grain dealer of Wadesville, as bookkeeper and buyer, remaining in this position until 1895, when he became a clerk in the general store of James Cross, Wadesville. In 1904, he formed a partnership with Walter Williams, under the firm name of De Fur & Williams, and they engaged in the hardware business at Wadesville. He disposed of his interest in this enterprise in 1905 and secured a position as a traveling salesman, which he followed until March, 1906, when he formed with Louis Schlosser, a brother-in-law, the firm of De Fur & Schlosser, general merchants, Wadesville. In 1909, the interest of Mr. Schlosser was bought by John A. Wade, and the firm style changed to De Fur & Wade. The business was liquidated in 1911. Subsequently, Mr. De Fur, a lifelong Democrat, received the nomination of clerk of the circuit court, and was elected by more than the normal majority. He entered office on January 1, 1913. Since his incumbency of the office, the administration of its business affairs have been such as to receive public commendation. He is an untiring worker, his courtesy is unfailing, and he possesses the qualifications for the successful conduct of the office. Mr. De Fur is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Modern Woodmen of America. He married on November 3, 1898, Miss Emma Schlosser, the daughter of Christian Schlosser, a well known farmer of Wadesville. They are the parents of two children: Dale De Fur, born June 3, 1900, and Clyde De Fur, born January 1, 1910.